Let's talk about food.

Before college I didn't realize how exciting this topic could be. In high school I had granola bars for breakfast, PB and J's for lunch, and some pasta dish my dad prepared for dinner. Delicious pasta dishes, but I don't think I realized that in high school and rarely appreciated it. With the independence of college, I now understand that food doesn't independently appear. In fact, the frequent struggle to make it appear has given food a high ranking on my "things-I-think-about" list.

It's not just me, although I might be one of the more dramatic enthusiasts. In college, you hear things like "this sandwich is glorious" or "free food? I'm there" quite often. Glorious? Are we, the college community, overdoing it? I don't think so. I made my own lunches and cooked dinner for myself at least occasionally in high school; in college, the food-preparing process takes on new meaning. For one thing, when I open the fridge in my apartment, I cannot eat everything in it; I look for the masking taped dish labeled"Shannon" and avoid the tape screaming "DO NOT EAT THIS IS MINE!" It's a bit overwhelming to return home, which is Saint Louis (Missouri) for me, and comprehend that I can eat anything behind those glorious fridge doors. See – 'glorious' again. It can't be helped.

What's more, learning how to shop for groceries so that the food labeled "Shannon" is actually useful has been one of college's ongoing challenges. Buying chocolate Pop-tarts, Wonder bread, applesauce, and skim milk doesn't get me very far. Note: those were the only items on my receipt when I went shopping last week and so clearly I'm still learning.

Bagels, aside from pizza, may just be the perfect college food - if you like them. Packed with carbohydrates and nutrients, one bagel can keep a college student's energy up with minimal cost (they're usually about 70 cents at the cafes). Bodos Bagels has two locations in Charlottesville, both a drive away from campus, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings those locations are packed to the brim with U.Va students. I can get an egg and bacon bagel, a small coffee,and a satiated appetite for fewer than three bucks. Dozens of others like me – hundreds, even –realize how valuable this breakfast is for the college community.

How does U.Va feel about this concern? For starters, Charlottesville has the 3rd most restaurants per capita in the U.S, and most of them are very close. Importantly, there's The Corner to subdue food anxieties and reflect the variety in C'ville's selections. It's a strip just next to campus with all sorts of stops, from the upscale Michael's Bistro to quick cafes like Take It Away Sandwiches. The Corner remains our walkable solution to hunger.

I can't help but add that, as much as we adore Bodos, it would be nice to eliminate the car from the equation. Which brings me to the main point of the Bodos question: ask students about the "Bodos on the Corner." It doesn't exist, but the promise of a Corner Bodos has haunted U.Va students for what seems like a decade. Just ask any U.Va student, or look at the online group named "The Bodos on the Corner is just messing with our minds," and you'll see how the question of food around campus is actually an activist issue. For April Fool's Day last year, a bunch of students posted fliers all over Central Grounds announcing the Grand Opening of a Bodos on the Corner. Fraudulent, of course. But we're still waiting impatiently. I think we feel we've earned it.

Of course, Thanksgiving break is coming up – that means home-cooked meals for four days – check back next week and I'll probably be satisfied.

Class Registration

First week of November and the weather has been 70 degrees and sunny! This is not typical Virginia weather but we definitely don't mind. On Monday I lay on the Lawn for the majority of the afternoon, watching the scene and remembering the first few balmy weeks of the school year. People were lounging all over like myself, and a few groups had started tossing Frisbees around. Charlottesville families came by, too, as they often do on pretty days, and set up picnics in front of the Rotunda. It's difficult to sit inside of a classroom when this rare weather graces us, which is why I was thrilled to have my English discussion outside on the amphitheater steps.

This week, besides the Maryland game on Saturday, the talk around College classrooms is class registration. Upperclassmen in each school meet a different experience, and in the College of Arts and Sciences (CLAS) , our older years are spent in seminars and higher level major classes. The other schools, like Engineering and Architecture, usually keep upperclassmen students on a tighter schedule, which makes sense; for example, my 3rd-year Nursing School friend Kate is spending a lot of time this year (and even more time next year) in the hospital itself for her "clinicals." Clinicals prepare nursing students for their careers through extreme hands-on training. The other undergrad schools encourage this sort of practice. CLAS students are, as always, practicing critical thinking and research, simply on a higher level than in their underclassmen years.

Which brings me to class registration. Every student upon arrival at U.Va has a faculty advisor, who alone can give them access to the online class registration system. In order to take classes, I must first visit my advisor, who approves my schedule and checks to make sure I've got a major in mind. While my advisor first and second year was a Portugese professor, since they're assigned randomly, I got to choose a new advisor when I declared a major (which you can do at any time, but at least before your 3rd year). My major, American Studies, is a small interdisciplinary one. There are thirty Amstud majors altogether, and we had to apply for admission into the program. Most students can simply declare their major, with the exception of a few programs like Amstud: Political and Social Thought, Government Honors, Systems Engineering, etc.

American Studies has been an awesome experience since I began it this fall. We combine a number of disciplines into our study, and discuss their broader connections and implications in a rigorous discussion. We are required to take two seminars our third year and a third seminar our fourth year; the topics range from "Theater and the American City" to "American Orientalism and WWII Film." To fulfill the major otherwise, I need to take 7 higher-level classes that are somehow connected to the study of America, like "History of the American City," "History of Jazz," "Sociology of the Family," and countless others. Actually, here's the approved list of classes for my major, which should also provide insight into the general nature of courses offered at U.Va: http://www.virginia.edu/americanstudies/html/courses-app.html

So! On November 17th, after receiving my access code from my advisor, I go online at a designated time and sign up for the classes that intrigue me. In my experience, the schedule I begin with at registration time is vastly different than the one I actually use next semester. Since students are free to rearrange their schedules until the two weeks after classes begin, courses are constantly opening and closing, and an email to a professor goes a long way.

Sounds confusing, but I used my upperclassmen friends as resources to figure out the system when it eluded me, and after a while it becomes old hat. This semester I'm dying to take "Theater and the American City," and I'd like to try a physical education class like skiing or snowboarding - why not? Though I hear the Appalachian Mountains are pretty different than the Rockies I'm used to . . .

Off to enjoy the weekend and the weather,
Shannon

Short Week

October 13th, 2004

I just love shortened weeks. We didn't have classes on Monday or Tuesday, and the fact that I only have one real day of class left is making me smile as I write this. It isn't all a bed of roses; I DO have two midterms tomorrow, along with two other classes, but the break allowed me to study - or at least finish all my readings - for the classes, and I'm feeling good.

We're reading "As I Lay Dying" by Williams Faulkner in my English survey course, and it's exciting to see in the notes of the book "Original manuscript available at Alderman Library, University of Virginia." Since the book was published, those manuscripts have moved to our brand new Special Collections Library, which is literally about 50 yards from where I'm sitting right now. Faulkner taught at U.Va in the late 1950's, and I found a great article written by a '61 graduate about what he was like in student-faculty interaction. I just visited my English professor's office hours to give him the article and talk about the book. I definitely needed the conversation, because even though I finished the novel it turns out I hadn't understood what actually happened in it. That's Faulkner for you.

Tonight is library night, as Wednesdays usually end up becoming when I fail at accomplishing anything in my room. I'm studying for my two midterms: one in History of the American City and one in American Film. I also have a screening of two episodes of "Bewitched" for my American Studies seminar; this week we begin our unit on "Magical Women" in post-WWII society. Should be a fun break between the studying.

Tomorrow night at nine o'clock is our intramural flag-football championship. I'm doing my best to rouse some sort of cheering section, but having limited success . . . I'll need to come up with a halftime snack or incentive. Earlier in the evening we're decorating T-shirts and cups for our new "little guides" in the tour guide service (aka The University Guide Service). We pair up the new guides with more experienced guides so they feel, ironically enough, 'guided' in their transition to becoming full-time tour guides.

I received my absentee ballot in the mail today! It's very offical-looking and exciting. A lot of groups around Grounds are constantly encouraging kids to register and/or get their absentee ballots, so now I can proudly walk past their tables on the Lawn with my head held high.

Over and out,
Shannon

football and Fall Break

October 8th, 2004

Well, I have to admit that I'm ready for Fall Break. Mid-October means midterm season, and try as I might to finish readings for the semester in the library or Starbucks, I keep finding convenient ways to distract myself. Fall Break, a no class period next Monday and Tuesday, will at least separate me from the friends who provide the most common distraction.
It doesn't need to, though. Students were rewarded with Fall Break as an answer to their pleas for more study time at mid-semester - its official name is "Reading Days" - but quite a few students take advantage of it as a mini-vacation of sorts. My friend Jocelyn is driving to New York to visit friends, and I know a group of 3rd-years who are taking an impromtu trip to Montreal! I have my doubts that they'll do anything productive in terms of homework. Fall break just happens to land on the same weekend as the Chicago Marathon, which my sister is running in, and so I'm flying to Chicago for some laid-back city shopping and good Sicilian pizza. And to cheer her on in the marathon while wondering about the possible inadequacy of my "eh, if I feel like it" workout schedule.

This week has been too exciting to finish most of the work I aimed to have done for Fall Break. Last night we played Clemson in football and won 30-10. The scene was unbelievable. Though a Thursday night game - technically a school night - most students had few things due because of the upcoming break and so the turnout was awesome. Craig Littlepage, our Athletic Director, invited me to join him in his private box for this game as a return favor for a presentation I gave to the ACC directors last fall. That is certainly NOT a typical football game; don't be fooled! My friend Erin and I had a blast in Mr. Littlepage's suite, eating chicken wings and watching the game sitting down (for once - I usually stand for the whole thing). I've got to add that aside from hanging out with some interesting people and calling friends from the box, one of the most exciting moments was meeting Charlottesville resident John Grisham. Erin and I were very proud of ourselves for keeping it cool, as if we meet best-selling authors every day. We were bouncing off the walls after the game, and I found it very difficult to sit at my computer to finish an American Studies paper when I could hear everybody celebrating at the restaurants on the Corner from my bedroom window.

Tonight, my friends that are staying in town are driving to see Bruce Hornsby perform at nearby Hamden-Sydney before spending the weekend catching up on work. A couple of good friends have the same research paper due on Wednesday for Dean Ed Ayers class, "The Rise and Fall of the Slave South." Based entirely on primary documents, the papers need to incorporate years of microfilm in an analysis of their specific topics. I hear amazing things about Dean Ayers' lectures and would love to take the class next fall. Apparently the lines back up at the microfilm machines the day before the paper is due, so those smarter kids are taking advantage of the break to get a head start.

Off to finish packing and drive to Baltimore, where I'm flying out of Baltimore-Washington International Airport. It wouldn't kill me to read that paper one last time before I turn it in, too.

Shannon

My first post! Getting ready for the weekend

The whirlwind of activity at the beginning of the fall semester - buying books, rearranging class schedules, reuniting with friends, luring first-years to clubs and activities, and generally just getting back into the groove - is finally dying down. In the spirit of a less hectic lifestyle and more time to talk online or watch reruns of Seinfeld, I am beginning an online journal entry for prospective college students.

College life is hard to articulate in a few brief explanations; impossible, in fact. This bi-weekly online journal should give you, a curious prospective, insight into the typical experience of a U.Va kid like me. The best way for you to understand me and my life is not through words and standard descriptions - but actions. I'll share a bit about what I DO here, especially on this oh-so-typical Friday. So I'll jump right in.

This evening, from six until eight, I'm hosting a fake fraternity party at my sorority house. As a third-year in a sorority, I live my Greek house, like many sorority girls my age. I never thought I'd call myself a sorority girl - when did that happen?! At U.Va, the earliest a student can pledge a sorority or fraternity is the SPRING semester of their first year, and so the system lends itself to people like me who are just looking for something else to add to their experience. In addition to the social Greek houses, there are multi-cultural sororites/frats and interest-associated fraternities like the Honor or Engineering Fraternity. So often students assume "going Greek" means pledging an Animal House-style party organization; the system extends far beyond that notion.

The party I'm hosting tonight is poking fun at that very idea. We're having root beer in a keg and screening "Old School" as we munch on wings and pizza. The last time I saw the movie was actually on The Lawn -that's the big grassy area near the Rotunda that encompasses our central and historical part of campus. The Fourth Year Council dragged a huge screen onto the Lawn and a couple hundred of us gathered to watch Old School and drink free hot chocolate and coffee. Just one example of how the Lawn is still alive with activity as it was in TJ's day. (TJ =Thomas Jefferson)

At eight, after the party, the big event tonight will be Homecomings. This weekend is the Homecoming football game against Akron - hope Hurricane Ivan allows it - and so tons of alumni pour back into Charlottesville. The result is packed restaurants, no parking, and tons of events with free food! Homecoming goes until 10 tonight in Memorial Gym; there will be bands playing all night and lots of student competitions. I'm curious as to what those competitions might be . . .in the past it's been a hamburger eating contest (well - not just any hamburger - a Gusburger. Fried egg a la beef. A local star available at the White Spot, our favorite greasy diner). After 10:00 . . who knows? My intramural flag football team won last night so we vowed to go out together tonight and celebrate.

Tomorrow morning I have to somehow drag myself out of bed around 8 AM - not something I typically enjoy, but it's worth it this time. My friend Mary organized an event on the Lawn called Pancakes for Parkisons, with all proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Parkison's Research Fund. Basically, three lawn rooms will be converted into MJ Fox-movie-themed diners, and people can come get pancakes for FREE (donations accepted). There are raffle prizes and tons of food. Me, I'm a designated "flipper" - I have to wield the pancake spatula till noon.

Then the football game at three-thirty. All those Virginia parents and U.Va alumnae set up delicious tailgates around the stadium (Kate's mom is bringing spinach-artichoke dip, I hear). Not that my social life revolves around food. Though . . . after reading this post . . . maybe I'm kidding myself here.

My weekend assignment for American Studies, a small seminar style course, is to read all of Ralph Ellison's 'Invisible Man'. That plus my other four classes' workload will keep me in the library all Sunday morning and afternoon. I like to free up my Sunday nights to relax and hang out with friends before another week begins. My friend Kelly bought an ice cream maker so I think my old housemates and I will make that our Sunday night project.

Yikes. Tornado warning until four. Virginia weather isn't usually this exciting.

I'll write again soon to let you know how the weekend went! Again, my entries will typically be bi-weekly, unless I've just GOT to tell you something.

Until next time,
Shannon